DHS Soundstage 1 Renovation - Toy Storia Mania expansion

[BrerJon]

And when Universal has their third park open by then (I'm guessing here) we'll probably have to wait even longer before we can make a "fair comparison." Not to mention the water park that will come MUCH sooner and all the projects for the current two parks. Universal is running the race solo while Disney sits at the starting line twiddling its thumbs in Fantasyland. "They'll never beat me, ever."

So perhaps Disney's strategy is to let Universal exhaust themselves, and spend all the money they can. Then when Universal have nothing left to offer and have spent all their cash, Disney can then - in true Disney style - do the bare minimum to balance Uni's offering, so in the whole process have spent the least amount of money but still manage to get the guests back who might have drifted up the road.

Let your enemy exhaust themselves, instead of attacking them yourself. Can it work? Maybe. Is it the best strategy for the guest experience? I don't see how, but I'm sure the Disney advocates who think the company is doing everything great will correct me on that one.

 

[Mike S]

Ok, now that seems to be a little harsh on Disney, that last quote. It is obvious they are starting to do things, even if they spent a while figuring out what. And you can't make comparisons based on what Disney has not announced vs what you are guessing Uni will do.

I'm done.

The third park is a real rumor, my guess was to when it would probably be open. It might even open earlier than that we don't know. Yes it does seem Disney is finally starting to move ahead with major additions for the Florida parks but it doesn't excuse the years of absolute bare minimum additions. No matter what Disney does the 11 year wait between Everest and Avatar as E Ticket additions is inexcusable and quite frankly appalling. This could be just a blip in WDW history and things really will change for the better but I'm not getting my hopes up. They've waited way too long to finally fix up DHS but at least they finally seem to be doing it so I'll give them some credit.

 

[Mike S]

I have had that thought for a while too. However, my last trip it was over a year since I had last been, and I found a lot of attractions surprisingly underwhelming or not as fun as I remember. Notable ones were PPF and Dinosaur, while great, the first (along with other dark rides) aren't up to today's tech, even if they are classics (which I love about them), and the second, I love the atmosphere, but I think many have said on here that the Dino effects just dont work as well as Indy

If only our Peter Pan would get the same treatment as Disneyland's. If the Alice in Wonderland update is anything to go by it will turn out great.

 

[DinoInstitute]

If only our Peter Pan would get the same treatment as Disneyland's. If the Alice in Wonderland update is anything to go by it will turn out great.

That would be great. I just feel as if a lot of attractions need a lot of help.

One thing I particularly noticed last time that I do not like is painted backgrounds in attractions and un-themed roofs. There probably isn't much of a way around that, but it definitely ruins effects of going someplace else

The third park is a real rumor, my guess was to when it would probably be open. It might even open earlier than that we don't know. Yes it does seem Disney is finally starting to move ahead with major additions for the Florida parks but it doesn't excuse the years of absolute bare minimum additions. No matter what Disney does the 11 year wait between Everest and Avatar as E Ticket additions is inexcusable and quite frankly appalling. This could be just a blip in WDW history and things really will change for the better but I'm not getting my hopes up. They've waited way too long to finally fix up DHS but at least they finally seem to be doing it so I'll give them some credit.

Eh hem...10 years, not 11. You forgot about Epcot's Frozen in 2016

 

[Mike S]

That would be great. I just feel as if a lot of attractions need a lot of help.

Yes a lot of them do unfortunately.

Eh hem...10 years, not 11. You forgot about Epcot's Frozen in 2016

How could I possibly forget?!?!?!?! That ride will be AMAZING!!!!!! BEST RIDE EVAR!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DinoInstitute]

Yes a lot of them do unfortunately.

How could I possibly forget?!?!?!?! That ride will be AMAZING!!!!!! BEST RIDE EVAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Hehe...he. So true.............

 

[PorterRedkey]

I'm willing to bet Star Wars Land's big E will be an indoor launch coaster.

Why would they put a second indoor launch coaster in the park? RnR fills that need. Maybe if it was a suspended or winged coaster, but personally I am hoping for a hybrid coaster/dark ride. Something like Gringotts with more physical sets and less screens (although some screeens would be okay - if used well).

 

[flynnibus]

How do you know this....just to play devils advocate...you could be making this all up...

Because the spend wasn't from the normal capital budgets - its why they needed to goto the board for approving the additional investment. If it was robbing peter, that infers they already had the money to spend. Why do you need to goto the board if peter already had the money?

Where is the counter proposal of a billion dollars in attractions that was declined instead of MM+? They didn't pick one vs the other.. they were sold on investing additional capital funds to position the business for future growth (both DCA v2 and NextGen).

Could the additional investment hinder future requests? Of course.. the money isn't endless. But they weren't picking between a billion dollars in attractions vs NextGen. That is just fan angst over 'what if...' scenarios.

 

[Macca250]

The reality is that the vast majority of WDW visitors visit infrequently, so (from the company's prospective) being "fresh" is less important that having an overall quality experience. And, for all the warts, WDW still delivers a great vacation experience to most people. That doesn't mean it couldn't or shouldn't be improved upon, but the way people talk around here it sounds like the place is falling apart and there's nothing of interest to do.

Whilst I do agree with you; when Disney is throwing up DVC and roping people into return visits they need to be more concerned about new additions. It's still the best place in the world to visit, but we all know that things really need touching up and fresh experiences need to be a priority. Lets hope Avatar/Pixar/Star Wars deliver the goods. (And that I'm still alive when they finally finish construction).

 

[flynnibus]

I would argue that the average guest doesn't care who is copying who.

The point is to be the trend setter and leverage your lead. These are kinds of things that are very difficult to duplicate in full... unlike a stand-alone attraction that can be built in a year.

Apple wasn't the first smartphone.. and no one cares who the copied or not.. but for many the concept of a smartphone is synonymous with iPhone. People EXPECT a device to do what an iPhone does. Through marketing and success.. they have redefined the lays definition of a smart phone. With NextGen and the integration Disney was undertaking.. they are trying to redefine what vacationing at a theme park is.

 

[misterID]

Which is certainly reasonable, but I think these boards often get caught up in stuff like new attractions or the latest tech, etc. because there is a large percentage of locals or frequent visitors. The reality is that the vast majority of WDW visitors visit infrequently, so (from the company's prospective) being "fresh" is less important that having an overall quality experience. And, for all the warts, WDW still delivers a great vacation experience to most people. That doesn't mean it couldn't or shouldn't be improved upon, but the way people talk around here it sounds like the place is falling apart and there's nothing of interest to do.

I'm not saying that to defend WDW as much as point out that many guests don't have the same prospective as the frequent visitors on here.

Yeah, they definitely own the game on international tourism, but a lot of American tourists, from the east, south and a big slice of the Midwest consider WDW their "home" park and they spend their vacations here rather than DLR, not to mention it's a shorter easier trip. And they make the trek to WDW more than once a lifetime.

UNI's expansion plans will have an effect. If there's more to do at UNI, especially for families, which I hear is their new priority, then imagine this: the family who typically spends six days at WDW, what if that family doesn't just spend one of their Disney days at UNI, what if they start spending three? What if the experience drives them to start booking their next vacation at a UNI resort, with the mindset "what are they going to build next?" That matters.

I always believed DLR would be the biggest threat to WDW strangle hold on the ldomestic and international tourist market, but I don't believe that anymore. I think it's UNI. And I'm really interested in the slice of the tourism market the Asian parks start taking in the future. TDLR is really strengthening their appeal and their attendance.

Sooner or later the South American market will be what WDW hangs it's International tourism hat on, and if they do have an economic recession... Well, investment will be vital to keep the money flowing and growth. Before the Inevitable post, let me clarify, no I don't think WDW will sink into the ocean. Yes, people will still go... But numbers matter. Very soon it's going to be about growth. One resort in Florida is doing it... There are rumors the other park is starting to wake up to this. I hope it continues

 

[SirLink]

Because the spend wasn't from the normal capital budgets - its why they needed to goto the board for approving the additional investment. If it was robbing peter, that infers they already had the money to spend. Why do you need to goto the board if peter already had the money?

Where is the counter proposal of a billion dollars in attractions that was declined instead of MM+? They didn't pick one vs the other.. they were sold on investing additional capital funds to position the business for future growth (both DCA v2 and NextGen).

Could the additional investment hinder future requests? Of course.. the money isn't endless. But they weren't picking between a billion dollars in attractions vs NextGen. That is just fan angst over 'what if...' scenarios.

Why go to the board if peter already had the money? To prevent the incident of Hollywood accounting to move money around the company which was the allegation of WWTBAM lawsuit which was found out to be true.

Also they could of been offered two proposals to the BoD 1) 7 attractions over 4 parks or 2) Project Next Gen. Also whilst you seem to deny this you weren't in Board meeting so it may of occurred. To simply state it did not would be as foolhardy as saying it did.

 

[BrerJon]

With NextGen and the integration Disney was undertaking.. they are trying to redefine what vacationing at a theme park is.

Yeah, a pain in the a*** that only works with a ton of planning.

 

[BrerJon]

UNI's expansion plans will have an effect. If there's more to do at UNI, especially for families, which I hear is their new priority, then imagine this: the family who typically spends six days at WDW, what if that family doesn't just spend one of their Disney days at UNI, what if they start spending three? What if the experience drives them to start booking their next vacation at a UNI resort, with the mindset "what are they going to build next?" That matters.

They won't though. It's been established here that having MagicBands and the ability to pre-book Fastpasses is far more likely to make a family go to Disney for a day than a new land is likely to make them go to Universal, and the universal love for MyMagic+ outside of these boards shows that.

Edit: Also, the Hogwarts Express is great for families and older fans, but most kids would prefer being able to pay with a wristband than ride that train any day.

 

[BrerJon]

UNI's expansion plans will have an effect. If there's more to do at UNI, especially for families, which I hear is their new priority, then imagine this: the family who typically spends six days at WDW, what if that family doesn't just spend one of their Disney days at UNI, what if they start spending three? What if the experience drives them to start booking their next vacation at a UNI resort, with the mindset "what are they going to build next?" That matters.

We also already have evidence that Disney is fine even if Universal builds a large kids expansion. Legoland is a *far* superior park for families than DFR, yet attendance shows that most families with young kids still prefer a day at the Studios, waiting for Toy Story and watching a few shows, than going out to a park with tons of stuff for young kids to do.

 

[flynnibus]

Why go to the board if peter already had the money? To prevent the incident of Hollywood accounting to move money around the company which was the allegation of WWTBAM lawsuit which was found out to be true.

Sorry, that is a diversion that holds no water because if it were to prevent fraudulent accounting, they would need to do it more than just these projects. They do it because it required additional spending - spending that impacts the company's financials and extends the numbers beyond their normal capital investment. Because the CFO had to stand in front of analysts and explain why capEx is up and it's impacting short term numbers. It's all because it changes the status quo of spending and profits. When you do things that impact the public reporting in a significant fashion.. you get more oversight.

Also they could of been offered two proposals to the BoD 1) 7 attractions over 4 parks or 2) Project Next Gen. Also whilst you seem to deny this you weren't in Board meeting so it may of occurred. To simply state it did not would be as foolhardy as saying it did.

And what.. nearly 10 years later... this 'could have' proposal has never seen the light of day, from insiders, former employees, or current employees. In fact, it's never even been hinted at or inferred. So yes, you can always hold onto the conspiracy theory that it's hush-hush never to be mentioned... or go with what the facts tell you.

 

[flynnibus]

They won't though. It's been established here that having MagicBands and the ability to pre-book Fastpasses is far more likely to make a family go to Disney for a day than a new land is likely to make them go to Universal, and the universal love for MyMagic+ outside of these boards shows that.

trololololo

 

[misterID]

Why would they put a second indoor launch coaster in the park? RnR fills that need. Maybe if it was a suspended or winged coaster, but personally I am hoping for a hybrid coaster/dark ride. Something like Gringotts with more physical sets and less screens (although some screeens would be okay - if used well).

Because that was the plan at one time, I believe. At one point there was a rumor a TRON launch coaster that was supposed to go in TL many moons ago. Then that Launch coaster was going into Avatarland instead, and Cameron really wanted it as part of the land before it was cut... then it was, or still is, going to be themed to Star Wars like a light cycle in Return of the Jedi at DLR and DHS... It is called a light cycle, right?

Anyway, the launch coaster is different than your typical Coaster. It's more themed to racing, with no inversions or anything. It's centered on speed. The only thing I've heard, and at this point I don't think anyone is certain, is that SWL is not going to be huge and isn't going to have the mega ride (like Gringotts) that people are hoping for. The launch coaster was pitched at one time for SWL so that's why I think it's going to be the attraction we get. But of course, I could be totally wrong.

I do hear the TRON version is going to be killer with the effects going into it.

 

[Mike S]

Whilst I do agree with you; when Disney is throwing up DVC and roping people into return visits they need to be more concerned about new additions. It's still the best place in the world to visit, but we all know that things really need touching up and fresh experiences need to be a priority. Lets hope Avatar/Pixar/Star Wars deliver the goods. (And that I'm still alive when they finally finish construction).

I agree with all you said except the bolded. The best place in the world to visit is the Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty

 

[stevehousse]

I know this is old information and I'm sure things have probably changed, but didn't they take away the coaster for Avatar in favor of using it instead at DHS for a speeder bike coaster?